Objective: To study the epidemiology of candidemia patients in Songklanagarind Hospital.

Material and Method: A retrospective study examining the epidemiological data of candidemia patients in Songklanagarind Hospital, a referral center in southern Thailand, between January 2004 and December 2009.

Results: Two hundred six candidemia inpatients had an overall 54% mortality rate. The median age of the patients was 53 years (range: 1-98 years). Length of hospital stay was an average of 55 days. Most of them (129, 62.6%) were admitted in a non-intensive care unit (non-ICU). The most common associated condition was solid organ malignancy (67, 32.5%). Most of the patients (181, 88%) had a history of broad spectrum antibiotic usage; however, in the non-broad spectrum antibiotics group solid organ malignancy was still the most common associated condition. Candida albicans and nonalbicans Candida accounted for 83 (40.3%) and 123 (59.7%) cases, respectively. Higher mortality rates were significantly related with intensive care unit (ICU) admission, elderly patients, and the presence of solid organ tumors, hematologic malignancies, and neutropenia, and influenced by intubation with a mechanical ventilator, central venous or urethral catheterization, surgical procedures, and administration of antibiotics.

Conclusion: Candidemia can cause a high mortality rate that is influenced with many independent risk factors including surgical and medical interventions. Non-albicans Candida is more common than Candida albicans whereas each mortality rate was not significantly different.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Candidemia, Songklanagarind Hospital